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Trientalis borealis ssp. borealis
Trientalis borealis Raf. ssp. borealis
Starflower, Maystar
Primulaceae (Primrose Family)
Synonym(s): Trientalis americana
USDA Symbol: TRBOB
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
The slender, upright stem is usually less than 8 in. tall and is topped by a whorl of 5-9 lance-shaped leaves which itself is topped by a loose cluster of starry, white flowers on slender stalks.
The backgrounds of shiny green leaves against which these pure white, star-like flowers are set accentuates the allusion to a star. The genus name is from a Latin word meaning "one-third of a foot" and refers to the height of the plant.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 8 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CT , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Lab. to Sask., s. to VA, mts. to GA, OH & MN
Native Habitat: Mixed woods; peaty slopes
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: ShadeSoil Description: Damp, cool, humus-rich soil.
Conditions Comments: An excellent ground cover for cooler climates; it spreads once established.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed or by sod from rescue missions. Sow seeds in flats as soon as they ripen and cover with a lot of mulch. Germination is slow.Commercially Avail: yes
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Trientalis borealis ssp. borealis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Trientalis borealis ssp. borealis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Trientalis borealis ssp. borealis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-01Research By: TWC Staff